VAAC Staff Report March 2021

MARCH 3, 2021

REPORT TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps marches past the White House during the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 3, 2021 ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Howard, USN, Chair .................................................................................. Medford Reynold “Reyn” Leno, USMC, Vice Chair ................................................... Grand Ronde Christine Gittins, USA, Secretary...................................................................... Redmond James Gardner, USA ........................................................................................... Eugene Robert “Bob” Van Voorhis, USA ....................................................................... John Day Nell Stamper, USCG………………………………………………………………………………………...Astoria Christina Wood, USAF…………………………………..………………………………………….…..Portland Micah Ashby, USN………………………….......................................................................Bend Mayme Cawvey, USA………………………………….………………................................... Portland ODVA STAFF Kelly Fitzpatrick, USA ......................................................................................... Director Martha-Estela Garcia, USA ........................................... Special Assistant to the Director Sean O’Day, USA ....................................................................................Deputy Director Vacant……..……………………………………………….Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director Jennifer Donovan ...........................................................................Senior Policy Advisor Lisa Durden ................................................................................. Internal Auditor Aaron Nicole Hoeft .......................................................................... Director, Communications Rebecca Cameron ............................................................... Human Resources Manager Sheronne Blasi, USN............................................. Director, Statewide Veteran Services Joseph Glover, USN ............................. Assistant Director, Statewide Veterans Services Martin Ornelas……………………………………………………………………...ODVA Portland Manager Ana Potter ................................................................... Director, Aging Veteran Services Kelly Breshears.…………………………………...…… Assistant Director, Aging Veteran Services Helen Ireland………………………………………………………………………. Conservatorship Manger Aaron Hunter ............................................................................... Chief Financial Officer Cody Cox ........................................................ Veteran’s Home Loan Program Manager John Osborn, USN ................................................. Facilities and Construction Manager Vacant ............................................................................ Information Services Manager

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Quarterly Meeting Agenda Wednesday, March 3, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Join by Zoom via Videoconference: You may pre-register for the meeting by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoce-orj4pE9FYjUBF_0xsTtKGscT_Lvmy Once pre-registered you will receive a link to the meeting. To prevent background noise, all attendees will be muted upon joining the meeting. To improve bandwidth during the meeting, only members of the Committee and Department staff will appear on video feed.

Join by Zoom via Telephone: You may join the meeting by dialing 1 (253) 215-8782. When prompted, enter the meeting ID: 845 6600 5395# and password/participant ID: 146722# To prevent background noise, all callers will be muted upon joining the meeting.

Meeting Materials: Staff reports for individual agenda items, when available, can be found on the Committee’s website by clicking on the following link: https://issuu.com/odva/stacks/38107bb40c054695831edf5634865ca4 I. WELCOME AND ADMINISTRATION – Business Meeting • Call to Order – Chair John Howard • Moment of Silence – Chair John Howard • Meeting Rules – Vice Chair Reynold Leno • Committee Member Introductions II. ODVA DIRECTOR’S REPORT • ODVA Budget Update – ODVA Director, Kelly Fitzpatrick III. REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS • Oregon Housing and Community Services – Gus Bedwell & Samuel Kenny • Updates from Statewide Veterans Services – Sheronne Blasi, Director Statewide Veterans Services • Legislative Update – Jennifer Donovan, Legislative Director IV. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS • Continue to share with veterans that they can apply at any time to be an Advisory Committee member through the ODVA website. Applications remain in the queue for consideration for two years.

• Open for Committee Members

V. NEW BUSINESS • Reminder that June is election month for new executive team • Open for Committee Members • Next Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting: Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2021| Time: 9:30 – Noon Location: Zoom VII. BUSINESS MEETING ADJOURNED TOWN HALL (Speakers Limited to 3 Minutes) The town hall time is for individuals to bring up broader veteran community issues. Members of the community may also submit written public comments to the Committee at the following email address: vaac@odva.state.or.us

CONNECT WITH ODVA

WEBSITE www.oregon.gov/odva BLOG www.oregondva.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/odvavet TWITTER @oregondva or www.twitter.com/OregonDVA ADVISORY COMMITTEE vaac@odva.state.or.us PUBLIC INFORMATION ODVAinformation@odva.state.or.us SUBMIT AN EVENT www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Events.aspx SUBMIT A STORY VetsNews@odva.state.or.us EMAIL SUBSCRIBE & Vets News www.oregon.gov/odva (Under “Connect with ODVA then Agency Publications”) LEGISLATIVE Page www.oregon.gov/odva/Connect/Pages/Legislation.aspx

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick

As we embark on the first Advisory Committee meeting of 2021, we also will soon observe the first anniversary of the COVID-19 journey. This is sobering because none of us anticipated still being in the grip of this pandemic beyond 2020. Over the course of the year you probably recall my remarks about how, ODVA faced unforeseeable and unprecedented challenges posed by COVID and the resulting budget uncertainties. While the ODVA team has risen to every challenge, we will have to remain flexible, resilient and innovative going forward, because as the recent record-setting ice storm illustrated, 2021’s own unique challenges are just emerging on the horizon. This year has begun with a similarly fast-paced cadence with the beginning of the 81st Oregon Legislative session.

Last summer as the agency worked on its 2021-23 Agency Request Budget to inform development of the Governor’s Budget, my fundamental goals as agency director were to maintain all the existing programs in ODVA and avoid elimination of currently filled staff positions, while proposing some modest budget increases in order to modernize where needed.

For context, at the time we were developing our Agency Request Budget we were concurrently implementing General and Lottery fund reductions in our 19-21 budget. The budget creation process often involves hard decisions even during the best of economic times because resources are always finite. During a prolonged economic downturn the decisions are even more difficult since available funds are severely constrained and are anticipated to remain constrained for some time to come. After all of the many conversations and decisions, I am confident that the Governor's Budget not only ensures that ODVA will sustain important programs for veterans across the state, it also supports our goals to become the agency our future veterans need.

ODVA presented the biennial 2021-23 Governor's Budget and policy priorities for veterans to the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development in early February. Included in the Governor’s Budget are two policy option packages ODVA put forward designed to modernize operations, including mission-critical IT systems, and to continue investments in grants and partner pass-through funding to deliver veteran services in Oregon. Now it is up to our legislative partners to assess the Governor’s Budget for ODVA and make changes as they deem necessary. We will not know the outcome until the legislative session ends this summer. As always, ODVA will provide legislative and budget updates going forward.

Despite the many devastating events that occurred over the last year, impacting both work and home lives greatly, the dedicated ODVA staff has remained flexible, resilient and

Director’s Message Kelly Fitzpatrick

innovative, finding creative ways of sustaining our agency operations and programs in support of Oregon veterans. Now more than ever, we are poised and in position to shape the next phase of ODVA’s journey. At the end of 2020, we began the important work of developing the agency’s next five-year strategic plan. Development of this plan has involved and will continue to involve not only the agency’s executive leadership but all ODVA staff.

One critical aspect of ODVA’s new strategic development process is the intentional focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). To continue to serve a richly diverse community and ensure ODVA is free of any systemic inequities, the team is considering all aspects of DEI and building those resolves into our agency’s foundational strategies.

We are committed to not only identifying and removing barriers for those traditionally underserved veterans, we are also committed to further improving our active outreach to these segments of our veteran community, ensuring that they feel safe and welcome enough to accept the invitation to access their earned benefits. and evolving services for today’s veterans across all eras of service. Through this work, we will build a culture that supports our responsibility to evolve as our veteran community evolves, and strive to meet the everchanging needs of all veterans. We want to create an environment where all veterans’ voices are heard and respected, and move us to action, and to identify and eradicate systemic inequities in ODVA programs.

As we continue through this unprecedented time, I share with you my commitment that ODVA will continue to work to fulfill our vision that all veterans and their families thrive in Oregon, regardless of race, ethnicity, or skin color, gender identity, ability, religious belief, or sexual orientation. By doing so, ODVA will make its own modest contribution to the larger effort to ensure that all Americans live free from institutional injustice, violence and prejudice, and have the opportunity to pursue a life of dignity, free from fear and full of hope.

Finally, and especially on point as the agency develops its DEI-centric strategic plan, we are pleased to welcome ODVA’s new Women Veterans Coordinator Jessica Bradley to the team.

Jessica served in the Marine Corps and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. She brings a wealth of experience with her to help ODVA execute our mission to support, serve and advocate for all veterans - now and into the future.

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

ODVA VISION

Veterans and their families thrive in Oregon

ODVA MISSION

To serve and honor veterans through our leadership, advocacy and strong partnerships

OREGON VETERAN LANDSCAPE »» Oregon is home to 300,573 veterans with one out of every 14 Oregonians having served in the military

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET INVESTMENTS The 2021-23 Governor’s Recommended Budget makes investments to continue funding the challenges facing today’s veterans across a broad spectrum of needs and experiences. Investments support ODVA and its mission to provide services to a diverse Oregon veteran community across five generations of veterans.

To meet the needs of the states veterans, ODVA provides leadership and leverages partnerships across local, state and federal organizations to deliver veteran services across several key areas and administers grants programs that further invest in local and direct services and support for veterans and their families. This work and the states investment in Oregon veterans programs result in a stronger, fairer, and more resilient Oregon – for everyone.

AGENCY BUDGET COMPARISON 2019-21 Legislatively Approved Budget*

2021-23 Governor’s Budget

General Fund

$

7,948,133

$

8,256,289

Lottery Funds

$

19,272,830

$

20,555,431

Other Funds

$

109,395,643

$

115,036,988

Other Funds (NL)

$

408,779,089

$

204,521,026

Federal Funds

$

3,267,259

$

1,617,844

»» Nearly 10% of veterans are women

Total Funds

$

548,662,954

$

349,987,578

»» More than half of Oregon veterans are aged 65 or older

Positions

»» 76% of veterans served during wartime »» 2.3% served during World War II »» 6.6% served during the Korean War »» 36.1% served during the Vietnam War »» 11.9% served during the first Gulf War »» 24.1% served during peace time »» 19.0% served Post 9/11

»» 13.1% BIPOC veterans in Oregon »» $3.18 billion in federal VA expenditures was directed to services and veterans in Oregon in 2019 »» More than 28% of veterans are rated for a service-connected disability or receiving a pension, leading to $1.52 billion in Disability Compensation and Pension payments to Oregon veterans

105

103

*Includes actions through January 2021 E-Board.

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET INVESTMENTS BY PROGRAM Veteran Home Loan Progam

Statewide Veteran Services

Aging Veteran Services

Oregon Veterans’ Homes

General Fund

$

- $ 7,323,089 $

561,540 $

371,660

- $ 16,887,495 $ 3,667,936 $

-

Lottery Funds

$

»» $1.4 billion is spent annually in Oregon to provide veteran healthcare services to more than 34% of the states veterans

Other Funds

$

18,172,833 $

137,329 $

Other Funds (NL)

$ 204,521,026 $

- $

- $

-

»» In 2019, the average annual tuition and housing payments made to 9,085 veterans was $17,718, totaling more than $160 million in VA education benefits in Oregon

Federal Funds

$

- $

1,617,844 $

- $

-

Total Funds

$ 222,693,859 $ 25,965,757 $ 4,229,476 $ 97,098,486

- $ 96,726,826

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

AGENCY GENERAL AND LOTTERY FUNDS

AGENCY LEGISLATION

$14,000,000

House Bill 2139: Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant Extends Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant to provide veterans free transportation from rural areas to healthcare (physical or mental) appointments at Veteran’s Administration (VA) facilities, VA-authorized health centers, and other healthcare facilities.

$12,000,000

$2,082,693 GF

$10,000,000

$5,240,396 GF

$8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000

$6,378,528 LF

$2,000,000 $-

$561,540 GF

$10,508,967 LF

$3,667,936 LF

Grants & Pass-Through to Partners Grants & Pass-Through

to$2,082,693 Partners

Statewide Veteran Services Statewide Veteran

Aging Veteran Services Aging Veteran Services

General Fund Lottery Fund

$10,508,967

$6,378,528

$3,667,936

Services $5,240,396

$561,540

GRANTS AND PASS-THROUGH TO PARTNERS General Fund Lottery Funds

Total Funds

County Veteran Service Offices

$

1,954,773 $

7,474,669 $ 9,429,442

National Service Organizations

$

127,920 $

497,880 $

625,800

Tribal Veteran Service Offices

$

- $

208,600 $

208,600

Veteran Services Grant

$

- $

788,118 $

788,118

Rural Veteran Healthcare Transp. Grant

$

- $

500,000 $

500,000

Campus Veteran Resource Grant

$

- $

500,000 $

500,000

Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant

$

- $

175,000 $

175,000

Suicide Prevention Hotline

$

- $

364,700 $

364,700

$ 2,082,693 $ 10,508,967 $ 12,591,660

POLICY OPTION PACKAGE 101: $3,400,000 OF/ $1,035,000 LF Strengthen Outdated It Systems And Operations $ 750,000 LFLF $750,000 Conservatorship System Modernization Conservatorship IT IT System Modernization $400,000 OF

Home Loan Program IT System Modernization $ 400,000 OF Home Loan Program IT System Modernization $185,000 LF

One new operational HR support staff $ 185,000 LF One new operational HR support staff $100,000 LF Program Stabilization and Funding Alignment $ 100,000 LF Program Stabilization and Funding Alignment $3,000,000 OF Anticipated higher operation costs at Oregon $ 3,000,000 OF Anticipated higher operation costs at Oregon

Veterans’ Homes due to COVID-19 Veterans’ Homes dueto COVID-19

POLICY OPTION PACKAGE 102: $1,367,669 LF Mobilize Partnerships To Support Veterans $500,000 Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant $ 500,000 LF LF Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant $192,669 LF Veteran Services Grant $ 192,669 LF Veteran Services Grant $500,000 LF Campus Veteran Resource Grants $ 500,000 LF Campus Veteran Resource Grant $175,000 LF Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant 175,000 LF $ Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant

House Bill 2140: Veteran Home Loan Program Technical amendments relating the Home Loan Program to correct changes made through Senate Bill 36 (2019).

House Bill 2141: Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant Program Extends the sunset of the Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant Program to January 2, 2024 to continue to provide grants to individual veterans experiencing a gap in GI Bill benefits due to a course/class not being available.

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

View the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs 2021-23 Governor’s Budget at www.oregon.gov/odva.

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR

Jennifer Donovan donovj@odva.state.or.us VETERAN LEGISLATION Track legislation impacting Oregon veterans at www.oregon.gov/odva/ Connect/Pages/Legislation.aspx

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development | 8 February 2021

PRESENTED BY

Kelly Fitzpatrick, Director

THE MISSION CONTINUES SERVING AND HONORING VETERANS IN OREGON SINCE 1945

OUR VISION

Veterans and their families thrive in Oregon

OUR MISSION

ODVA serves and honors veterans through our leadership, advocacy and strong partnerships

OUR VALUES

Respect, Integrity, Stewardship and Excellence

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3

1 OUT OF 14

300,573

OREGONIANS IS A VETERAN

OREGON VETERAN POPULATION

RICH IN DIVERSITY ACROSS SIX MAJOR SERVICE ERAS

76% OF VETERANS SERVED DURING A WARTIME 2.3%

6.6%

36.1%

24.1%

11.9%

19%

WORLD WAR II

KOREAN

VIETNAM

PEACETIME

GULF

POST 9/11 4

13.1% BIPOC VETERANS IN OREGON

4.9% Asian, Pacific Islander | 4.2% Hispanic Or Latino | 1.6% Black | 1.1% Native American | 1.3% One Or More Races

NEARLY 10% OF OREGON VETERANS ARE WOMEN MORE THAN HALF OF OREGON VETERANS ARE AGED 65 OR OLDER

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$3.18 BILLION

TOTAL FY 19 VA EXPENDITURES IN OREGON

$1.4 Billion Health Care Expenditures

»

More than 34% of veterans in Oregon are enrolled in health care from the federal VA.

$160 Million

$1.52 Billion

Education Payments

Disability Compensation and Pension Payments »

28% of Oregon veterans are service–connected for injuries incurred in service.

»

In 2019, the average tuition and housing payments made to 9,085 veterans in Oregon was $17,718.

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VETERAN JOURNEY

PARTNERS DELIVERING VETERAN SERVICES IN OREGON

$127 MILLION PER MONTH IN DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION TO OREGONIANS

LOCAL VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE

Veterans work with ODVA veteran service officers, 36 County Veteran Service Offices, 2 Tribal Veteran Service Offices or 5 National Service Offices in Oregon to file claims and connect to other local, state and federal veteran benefits and resources.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

FEDERAL VETERANS AFFAIRS

Claims filed in Oregon by state, county and tribal veteran service offices are reviewed and quality assured for completeness and then submitted to the federal VA by ODVA. Veterans are represented under ODVA’s Power of Attorney and the state represents veterans in the appeals adjudication process.

Rating decision for veterans claims are made by the Veterans Benefit Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs based on Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38.

SERVICE-CONNECTED VETERAN

More than 83,000 veterans in Oregon are rated for a service-connected disability or receiving a pension, leading to $1.52 billion in Disability Compensation and Pension payments in Oregon per year.

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OUR WORK

8

AGENCY PROGRAMS

SUMMARY OF SERVICES »

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

»

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

HOME LOAN PROGRAM STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES AGING VETERAN SERVICES OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

»

»

Provides home loans to qualified veterans Provides claims and appeals assistance, monitoring of post-secondary institutions through the State Approving Agency function, partnerships with counties and national veterans’ service organizations to assist veterans, and grant programs that direct funding to veterans and governmental and non-profit organizations AGING VETERAN SERVICES

Provides expertise and outreach in aging veterans’ benefits and services, veteran volunteer program, and conservatorship and representative payee services OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

Provides oversight of the two Oregon Veterans’ Homes (skilled-nursing and memory care facilities) in The Dalles and Lebanon 9

HOME LOAN PROGRAM HOME LOAN PROGRAM STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES AGING VETERAN SERVICES OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

OVERVIEW

» Oregon citizens voted in 1945 to create a Veterans’ Home Loan program, establishing it in Article XI-A of the Oregon Constitution » This historically self-sufficient program provides low-interest rate mortgages on single-family owner-occupied homes to eligible and qualified veterans » State benefit is separate and distinct from the federal VA Home Loan Guaranty » Borrow up to $548,250 (Fannie Mae limit as of 2021) » ODVA is the lender and servicer of home loans » 1,777 home loans totaling more than $347 million in portfolio » More than $8 billion in low-interest home loans have been made to more than 335,000 veterans since 1945 10

HOME LOAN PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASURES KPM 1B: LOAN ORIGINATIONS

KPM 1A: DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: +$60 million

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: < 1.50%

$100

4.50% 3.00% 1.50% 0.00%

1.45%

2012

1.61%

2013

1.45%

2014

Federal VA

0.80%

0.80%

0.91%

0.91%

2015

2016

2017

2018

Conventional

0.42%

0.51%

2019

2020

Loan Origination (Millions)

Percent Delinquent

6.00%

$80 $60

$62.30

$72.30

$76.90

$77.01 $47.44

$40 $20 $0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Fiscal Years

ODVA

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES HOME LOAN PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

» Training and certification to all veteran service officers representing Oregon veterans under ODVA’s Power of Attorney

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

» Claims advocacy and adjudicates veterans appeals filed under ODVA’s Powers of Attorney

AGING VETERAN SERVICES

» Quality oversight and submits Oregon claims to the Federal VA for state, county, tribal veteran service offices

OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

» Administers grants to veterans and partners » Special Advocacy for traditionally underserved veterans (women, LGBTQ, incarcerated, students, tribal) » Partnerships with state agencies to leverage and enhance existing state resources available for veterans » State Approving Agency to approve and monitor institutions eligible to participate in federal veterans’ education benefits 12

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES PERFORMANCE MEASURES

KPM 3: DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND PENSION BENEFITS PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: $16,324

Avg. per Veteran

$17,000

$16,605

$16,500

$15,971

$16,000 $15,500 $15,000 $14,500

$15,229 2016

$15,445 2017

2018

2019

Disability Compensation and Pension Benefits per Veteran

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STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES PERFORMANCE MEASURES

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: 13,700

14,000

13,105 11,372

Powers of Attorney

12,000

11,476

11,783 9,804

10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

KPM 7: REDUCING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: 80%

% of Veterans Retaining Housing

KPM 4: POWERS OF ATTORNEY

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

85%

2018

87%

2019

79%

2020

Reducing Veteran Homelessness

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AGING VETERAN SERVICES

OVERVIEW

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

» Aging Veteran Services provides oversight of the two Oregon Veterans’ Homes and programs providing direct services to aging and vulnerable veterans

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

» Claims assistance and advocacy focused on the needs of aging veterans

AGING VETERAN SERVICES

» Conservatorship program serves as a court appointed conservator to protect and manage veterans financial assets

OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

» Representative Payee services ensure the timely payments of monthly expenses on behalf of vulnerable veterans to ensure their basic living needs are met » Specialized volunteer and outreach advocates conduct local outreach to aging veterans to educate and connect veterans to benefits

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OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

OVERVIEW

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

» Award-winning state Veterans’ Homes located in The Dalles (1997) and Lebanon (2014)

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

» Earned benefit providing skilled and long-term nursing care, endorsed memory care, and rehabilitative care to veterans, spouses and Gold Star Parents

AGING VETERAN SERVICES OREGON VETERANS’ HOMES

» Veterans live in an environment with a culture of camaraderie and understanding from fellow veterans who have shared military experience and staff who are trained to meet their unique needs » Access to claims representation and benefit assistance by service officers who focus on the needs of veterans who served during the Vietnam, Korean and WWII wars » Self-sustaining program offering lower cost skilled nursing care to veterans and their families 16

OREGON VETERANS’ HOME PERFORMANCE MEASURES KPM 2A: OCCUPANCY RATE

KPM 2B: LOWER RESIDENT PRIVATE PAY RATES

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: 80%

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40%

77% 56% 2016

National Avg.

Oregon Veterans' Homes

93% 64% 2017

Source: Office for Oregon Health Policy & Research

88% 66% 2018

91% 66% 2019

92% 68% 2020

Avg. Private & Semi-Private Room Daily Rate

Occupancy of Licensed Beds

Oregon Avg.

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE TARGET: $327.00

Oregon Avg.

Oregon Veterans' Homes

$450 $350

$297.00 $251.00

$250 $150

$213.50 2017

$316.50 $260.00 $222.50 2018

$327.00 $263.50

$350.50 $272.50 $244.50

$231.50 2019

2020

Source: Genworth Financial Reports

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OREGON VETERANS’ HOME COVID-19 FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Since the beginning of the pandemic, resident census levels (i.e., occupancy) at the Oregon Veterans’ Homes have decreased by approximately 18% (as of December 31, 2020).

During the 2019-21 biennium, the Veterans Homes received monies from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund, which helped to partially offset some of the lost revenues and increased costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

LOST REVENUE

• Lost revenue - $1,982,476 INCREASED COSTS

• Additional Expenses - $1,049,613 • Staffing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Infection Control PROVIDER RELIEF FUNDS

• Federal Revenues (CARES Act) received - $2,235,448 18

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

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AGENCY BIENNIAL BUDGET COMPARISON $-

$20,000,000

$40,000,000

$60,000,000

$80,000,000

$100,000,000

$120,000,000

General Funds Lottery Funds Other Funds Federal Funds

Legislatively Approved Budget Governor's Budget

General Funds Lottery Funds Other Funds Federal Funds Total Funds Positions

$ $ $ $ $

2019-21 LEGISLATIVELY APPROVED BUDGET**

7,948,133 19,272,830 109,395,643 3,267,259 139,883,865 105

$ $ $ $ $

Excludes Nonlimited Expenditures of $408,779,089 in 2019-21 and $204,521,026 in 2021-23. ** Includes actions through January 2021 E-Board.

2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

8,256,289 20,555,431 115,036,988 1,617,844 145,466,552 103

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2021-23 GOVERNOR’S BUDGET BY PROGRAM 3%

AGING VETERAN SERVICES

18%

67%

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

OREGON VETERANS' HOMES [THE DALLES AND LEBANON]

12%

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

Home Loan Program

Statewide Veteran Services

HOME LOAN PROGRAM

General Funds Lottery Funds Other Funds Federal Funds Total Funds

$ $ $ $ $

18,172,833 18,172,833

Aging Veteran Services

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

$ $ $ $ $

7,323,089 16,887,495 137,329 1,617,844 25,965,757

Oregon Veterans' Homes

AGING VETERAN SERVICES

$ $ $ $ $

561,540 3,667,936 4,229,476

OREGON VETERANS' HOMES

$ $ $ $ $

371,660 96,726,826 97,098,486

Excludes Nonlimited Expenditures of $204,521,026.

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GENERAL FUND & LOTTERY FUND INVESTMENTS $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $General Fund

Grants & Pass-Through to Partners $2,082,693

Lottery Fund

$10,508,967

Statewide Veteran Services

Aging Veteran Services

$5,240,396

$561,540

$6,378,528

$3,667,936

*Includes Lottery Fund Debt Service of $690,010 in Statewide Veteran Services.

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LOTTERY FUNDS

County Veteran Service Pass-Through $7,474,669 36% National Service Org. Pass-Through $497,880 3% StatewideVeteran Services $5,688,518 28%

Aging Veteran Services $3,667,936 18%

$20,555,431 TOTAL LF

Tribal Veteran Service Pass-Through $208,600 1% Grants & Pass-Through to Partners $2,327,818 11% Debt Service – YMCA Veterans Affordable Housing $690,010 3%

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REDUCTION OPTIONS The Legislative Fiscal Office requested agencies submit budget reduction options for the 2021-23 biennium up to 10% of Current Service Level Budget. ODVA was required to provide budget reduction options for both General Funds and Lottery Funds: • Grant funds for the Veteran Services Grant Program; • Pass-through funds for National Service Organizations; • Pass-through funds for County Veteran Service Officer Program; • Emergency Assistance Program; • Services and Supplies for Statewide Veteran Services and Aging Veteran Services; and • 5 positions (5.0 FTE) in Statewide Veteran Services or Aging Veteran Services were identified for potential vacancy savings.

24

REDUCTIONS IN GOVERNOR’S BUDGET Included in the Governor’s Budget for ODVA are certain budget reductions from Current Service Level. The reductions to Current Service Level include: • Reductions to Services and Supplies Inflation for Statewide and Aging Veteran Services; • Reductions to Statewide Charges and Assessments included across all state agencies; • Abolishment of 1 position (1.0 FTE) in Statewide Veteran Services; and • Increased vacancy savings accomplished by holding 2 positions (2.0 FTE) in Statewide Veteran Services or Aging Veteran Services open for the biennium. Additional vacancy savings amounts were also included.

25

POLICY OPTION PACKAGES

26

POLICY OPTION PACKAGE 101 STRENGTHEN OUTDATED IT SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS - $3,400,000 OF / $1,035,000 LF $750,000 LF » Conservatorship IT System

Modernization of aging technology for the Conservatorship Program

$400,000 OF » Home Loan Program IT System

Modernization of aging technology for the Home Loan Program

27

POLICY OPTION PACKAGE 101 STRENGTHEN OUTDATED IT SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS - $3,400,000 OF / $1,035,000 LF $185,000 LF

» Strengthen Operations Funding one new core operational HR support staff

$100,000 LF

» Program Stabilization Continuing alignment of funding and program stabilization for the Veteran Home Loan Program

$3,000,000 OF » Increased Operation Costs at Oregon Veterans’ Homes

Anticipating potentially higher operation costs for the Oregon Veterans’ Homes due to COVID-19 28

POLICY OPTION PACKAGE 102 MOBILIZE PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT VETERANS - $1,367,669 LF $500,000 LF » Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant

Continued grant funding to Special Transportation Districts to provide veterans in rural communities with free transportation to medical and behavioral healthcare services

$192,669 LF » Veterans Service Grants

Grant funding to partner organizations delivering direct resources to veterans in Oregon with ODVA’s Veteran Services Grants

$500,000 LF » Campus Veteran Resource Center Grants

Continued grant funding of public college campus veteran resource centers

$175,000 LF » Veteran Educational Bridge Grant

Partnerships with college and trade schools to provide direct grant support to student veterans 29

PROPOSED AGENCY LEGISLATION HOUSE BILL 2139

» Rural Veteran Healthcare Transportation Grant Continue to provide free transportation to veterans in rural areas seeking healthcare (physical or behavioral health) at USDVA facilities, VA-authorized health centers, and other healthcare facilities.

HOUSE BILL 2140

» Technical Amendments Relating the Home Loan Program Amends ORS Chapter 407 to correct changes made through Senate Bill 36 (2019) that eliminated a number of statutory provisions that were outdated or no longer in use in administering the Home Loan Program.

HOUSE BILL 2141

» Veteran Educational Bridge Grant Extends sunset of the Veterans’ Educational Bridge Grant Program from January 2, 2022 to January 2, 2024.

30

OUR WORK AHEAD

31

QUESTIONS

32

APPENDIX

33

AGENCY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

OREGON VETERANS AND CITIZENS

GOVERNOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR’S OFFICE POLICY

AGING VETERAN SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES

COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SERVICES

CONSERVATORSHIP

HOME LOANS

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES (PORTLAND)

COMMUNICATIONS

OVH (LEBANON)

FINANCIAL SERVICES

STATEWIDE VETERAN SERVICES (SALEM)

INFORMATION SERVICES

OVH (THE DALLES)

FACILITY SERVICES

TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND OUTREACH

RECORDS AND INFORAMTION MANAGEMENT

34

TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS Conservatorship Technology Modernization Technology Project #1: The current Conservatorship System application was developed in-house throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s and enables court-appointed ODVA conservators and trust officers to deliver critical conservatorship and representative payee services to the state’s most vulnerable veterans. These veterans rely on ODVA and the Conservatorship System to manage and care for all of their financial needs.

Estimated costs for implementing a new Conservatorship System in the 2021-23 biennium: $500,000 Lottery Funds - Data Processing Software (Capital Outlay) $250,000 Lottery Funds - Professional Services (Capital Outlay) $750,000 Lottery Funds - TOTAL

Requested amount is included in Policy Option Package 101.

35

TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS Home Loan Servicing Modernization Technology Project #2: The agency last updated its loan servicing technology in 1999, investing nearly $1 million to customize a commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) system that would address a number of issues including servicing a unique subset of loans that originated in the 1980’s. The systems that were implemented over 20 years ago do not meet the needs of the agency’s current business model and do not meet the expectations of our veteran borrowers. ODVA currently uses multiple manual processes in combination with the old technology to deliver this program to veterans.

Estimated costs for implementing a new Home Loan Servicing System in the 2021-23 biennium: $300,000 Other Funds (Loan Program) - Data Processing Software (Capital Outlay) $100,000 Other Funds (Loan Program) - Professional Services (Capital Outlay) $400,000 Other Funds (Loan Program) - TOTAL

Requested amount is included in Policy Option Package 102.

36

COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE PASS-THROUGH FUNDING Annual VSO Budget (2018-19) 9/30/2018 COUNTIES

ODVA

County Portion

Annual VSO Budget (2019-20) ODVA

County Portion

Annual VSO Budget (2018-19)

Annual VSO Budget (2020-21) ODVA

9/30/2018

County Portion

VET POP

COUNTIES

BAKER

1,815

$82,396

$32,236

$84,752

$29,000

$ 78,034

$ 29,000 LANE

BENTON

5,456

$106,476

$270,458

$109,687

$192,200

$ 100,992

$ 190,000 LINCOLN

28,778

$285,191

$498,086

$269,398

$521,184

$ 248,043

$ 559,618 LINN

CLATSOP

3,842

$96,854

$20,486

$98,635

$20,486

$ 90,816

$ 29,710 MALHEUR

COLUMBIA

4,886

$107,337

$34,900

$105,788

$34,900

$ 97,402

$ 34,900 MARION

COOS

7,160

$121,170

$57,108

$121,360

$53,246

$ 111,740

$ 53,246 MORROW

CROOK

2,309

$86,325

$149,737

$88,138

$151,137

$ 81,151

$ 210,400 MULTNOMAH

CURRY

3,026

$88,346

$49,774

$93,047

$49,774

$ 85,671

DESCHUTES

14,645

$164,245

$405,863

$172,614

$417,402

DOUGLAS GILLIAM

12,711

$151,799

$199,486

$159,371

$205,483

CLACKAMAS

ODVA

County Portion

VET POP

$271,085

$568,600

$ 249,596

$ 376,477

5,291

$102,332

$157,649

$108,559

$189,382

$ 99,954

$ 175,903

11,614

$145,146

$203,106

$151,860

$190,286

$ 139,822

$ 210,440

1,935

$85,473

$48,657

$85,578

$52,191

$ 78,794

$ 52,971

21,814

$219,770

$4,200

$221,709

$51,014

$ 204,134

$ 51,014

837

$77,121

$28,628

$78,054

$30,879

$ 71,867

$ 26,159

39,334

$329,683

$844,017

$341,691

$866,406

$ 314,606

$ 869,570

6,560

$116,159

$70,000

$117,251

$80,000

$ 107,957

$ 65,000

$ 158,931

$ 71,014 POLK $ 467,395 SHERMAN

$ 146,738

$ 250,527 TILLAMOOK

2,391

$84,260

$263,305

$88,700

$268,660

$ 81,669

$ 275,866

594

$101,505

$12,600

$103,517

$12,600

$ 95,311

$ 12,600

7,000 UMATILLA $ 27,595 UNION

5,429

$107,270

$193,009

$109,503

$209,027

$ 100,823

$ 199,211

2,114

$85,812

$54,066

$86,800

$54,066

$ 79,919

$ 52,000

$ 32,290 WALLOWA $ 452,160 WASCO

674

$75,796

$17,477

$76,940

$21,347

$ 70,841

$ 23,629

2,462

$89,039

$53,560

$89,186

$68,499

$ 82,116

$ 66,175

33,660

$286,482

$846,171

$302,834

$973,267

$ 278,829

$ 950,053

7,875

$130,135

$211,241

$126,253

$288,775

$ 116,245

$ 256,635

$6,303,196 $4,509,498 $6,833,762

$4,162,022

$6,720,394

TRI COUNTY (1) $7,000

$77,151

$9,000

$ 71,036

HARNEY

635

$76,045

$27,695

$76,672

$27,595

$ 70,594

1,245

$80,064

$31,276

$70,000

$32,290

$ 74,440

19,571

$196,279

$452,160

$206,351

$452,160

$ 189,994

JEFFERSON

1,694

$84,171

$47,000

$83,923

$54,702

$ 77,271

JOSEPHINE

8,553

$128,657

$178,343

$130,896

$293,104

$ 120,520

$ 55,864 WASHINGTON $ 260,872 WHEELER

KLAMATH

7,596

$112,343

$285,200

$124,347

$323,000

$ 114,490

$ 275,000 YAMHILL

806

$76,004

$47,250

$77,847

$42,100

$ 71,676

$ 50,100

(1) Tri

County Portion

$501,452

$75,078

LAKE

ODVA

$252,546

705

JACKSON

County Portion

Annual VSO Budget (2020-21)

29,024

GRANT HOOD RIVER

ODVA

Annual VSO Budget (2019-20)

$

TOTALS:

297,039 $4,407,309

County is a consortium of Gilliam, Sherman, and Wheeler Counties. Sherman County is responsible for the operation of the office and the budgeting of the funds.

37

Oregon Housing Community Services Presented by Sam Kenney, Senior Operations and Policy Analyst, Homeless Services Section, Housing Stabilization Division Gus Bedwell, Veteran Housing Integrator, Public Affairs Section.

Veterans Related Work • Over 300,000 Veterans in Oregon, which means one in fourteen Oregonians is a veteran • According to the 2019 PIT, 1438 individuals experiencing homelessness indicated being veterans and sadly, one in ten Oregonians experiencing homelessness are veterans.

• OHCS receives to address housing instability is form the Document Recording Fee(25% are earmarked to serve Oregon veterans) • Programs supported by DRF and other programs that support Veterans: • • • •

The Emergency Housing Account (EHA), other homeless services programs, Improved data quality and understanding of Veterans experiencing homelessness, The Homeownership Assistance Program (HOAP) and, Energy Assistance programs.

Reference: December 2020 OHCS/ODVA Legislative Report

Veterans Related Work • We have supported the development of affordable rental housing specifically for veterans in Oregon by offering Notice of Funds Available (NOFA)s from the General Housing Assistance Program (GHAP), .

• 2019 Small Projects NOFA - Of the 404 homes awarded, 87 new housing unit were dedicated to veterans.

• 2020 Veterans only NOFA - 38 homes awarded dedicated to veterans.

• 2021 Veterans only NOFA – late Summer/early Fall

• In partnership with ODVA, OHCS has continued to host Veteran Homelessness Provider Convenings (virtually due to COVID-19) to spur collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.

• OHCS Homeless Service Provider, Convenings and Veteran webpages;

Reference: December 2020 OHCS/ODVA Legislative Report

OHCS Veterans Leadership Team Sam Kenney Samuel.Kenney@oregon.gov Gus Bedwell Gus.L.Bedwell@oregon.gov

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES Presentation to ODVA Advisory Committee March 2021

Sheronne Blasi, Statewide Veteran Services

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

$3.18 billion total FFY 19 Veteran’s Administration (VA) expenditures in Oregon

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

COUNTY and CVSO

ODVA

• County employs or contracts for Veteran Service Officers (VSO) and Admin Support

• Holds Power of Attorney (POA) for federal VA claims

• CVSOs act in direct advocacy to veterans and their eligible dependents • CVSOs conduct outreach • CVSOs act as a referral to other veteran resources

• Provides training, certification and technical assistance to CVSOs • Performs quality assurance, and submits claims and appeals to federal VA • Represents veterans and their dependents at federal VA claims appeals hearings

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

COUNTY PASS-THROUGH FUNDS PROGRAM VERVIEW

AUTHORITY

APPLICATION & REPORTING

• County Veteran Service Officer programs shall conduct outreach and provided information on benefit programs, and assistance by trained reps in applying for all federal & state benefits (ORS 406.450)

• Counties submit annual application to receive ODVA pass-through funding

• ODVA distributes funds appropriated to the agency to establish a program to enhance and expand the services provided by CVSOs. (ORS 406.454)

• Counties submit quarterly reports that includes CVSO activities and expenditures

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

HISTORICAL BUDGET FOR COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES 14,000,000

11,590,323

12,000,000

12,428,366

12,000,416

10,388,231 10,000,000

7,860,650

Budget

8,000,000

6,000,000

4,000,000

2,000,000

-

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

Fiscal Year

ODVA

County

Carry Forward/Other

Total Budgeted Funds

FY21

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

FUNDING USES

Examples of County VSO Funding Uses • • • • • •

Staffing – Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) & Admin Support Outreach events Vehicle for hard to reach parts of county Advertising Computer equipment Other uses

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

VSO Services

2020 Claims & Appeals 4,232 new Power of Attorneys (POA) 8,992 claims filed 27,013 actionable submittals (e.g. medical docs, additional info) 510 Virtual Board of Veterans Appeals hearings conducted (of 8,000 nationally)

COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES

VSO Services

Blue Water Navy Act of 2020 – Claims & Benefits • 1,080 claims completed • Average of 159 days to complete • 923 claims pending as of Jan 2021 • $20.1 Million in total awards (retroactive awards & monthly compensation)

QUESTIONS?